Travel Capsule for Italy - YouLookFab Forum

Spending 30 minutes on the phone with Delta yesterday really has me thinking about packing for my trip to Italy even though the trip isn't until the end of February. Due to Delta altering our return flights, we will now be on the ground in Italy for 13 days not including the 2 travel days on either end. My mom and I are flying into Venice, then to Florence by train before finishing in Rome. Since we will be traveling by train so I'm trying to pack as light as I did for Paris this past spring even though it's longer trip.

It will still be fairly cold, especially in Venice and Florence so I know I'm going to need layers. I'm undecided on a color palette so far. For Paris, I had packed mostly black and white with a few red accents including a red coat and that worked well but wasn't the most exciting. I would maybe like to try a palette than incorporates some of the warmer colors I've been adding to my wardrobe.

Any help on how many of each item to pick? I was thinking 3-4 pairs of pants, 1 skirt or dress, 5-6 tops, 1 cardigan, 1 pullover sweater and 2-3 pairs of shoes/boots? For a coat, I was thinking a waterproof trench with a zip out liner.

8 years ago

Kirstjen

Veteran

I think it really depends on what you do when you travel and how light you want to pack.

My travel generally includes a TON of walking, lots of museums, art & cafes. I don't do any super fancy restaurants (I used to, but no more...)

When I travel, I can go for 3 weeks with a 3/4 full carry-on bag. I usually wear jeans on the plane, pack 2 more pairs of pants, along with 2 very thin turtlenecks, about 3-4 scarves, and one sort of special top for going out at night. I wear one pair of shoes & take another. I take Cuddl Duds in the winter, which can also function as my pajamas. Finally, I take one bulky sweater/cape type thing (heavy cashmere) which I have worn to death on the past couple of trips when I've been really cold.

I think if you want to pack a minimalist wardrobe, it helps if you pick 2 neutral colors & one not neutral (maybe gray, black & red for you) and just work around that. All of your accessories & shoes should work with each other.

If you are willing to check baggage, then you have a lot more flexibility, and you could probably double what you take, and add another "accent" color or two to the mix.

My souvenirs are usually a scarf, t shirt & some kind of jewelry, which I then use to prevent wardrobe burnout. I also use laundromats and laundry services when I travel.

One of my more memorable evenings was doing laundry near the Sorbonne & running across the street for falafel sandwiches. Another time was finding the ONLY laundry service in Stockholm & getting my clothes all folded & returned to my hotel the same day.

crutcher

Your travel plans to Italy sound absoutely marvelous...I love Italy the most of all of Europe...
Packing will come together as you get closer...Oh, you did forget something, smuggling me along...smile..
Have fun and keep sharing your plans...

Kathleen

Active Member

kirstken- I think our travel styles are similar. Lots of museums and sightseeing, no real fancy meals these days. I'm trying to do carry-on only in case I need to help my mom with her bag.

crutcher- This will be the 1st trip to Italy for both of us. I won the trip to Paris, but it was for only 5 nights. It was my mom's 1st trip to Europe and she loved it so much that she wanted to do a longer trip and we decided on Italy. I'm happy that she is still in good health and can make the trip.

carter

Today's post on The Vivienne Files was written just for you:-)

http://www.theviviennefiles.com/

It sounds like a wonderful trip! As an extra incentive to pack as light as humanly possible...think of all the tempting leather goods and textiles that will be calling your name at the Florence markets! At least the gold trinkets you can pick up won't have to be packed;-)

Astrid

I've been to Italy three times in the last few years, always in February. First Florence (Pisa), that's the first pic. Then Milan (Bologna). And this year Veneto (Venice, Padua, Verona and Vicenza), that's pic #2. You can see what other people are wearing in this picture. Here's my travel capsule: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....lease-help
I took too many pullovers and didn't need the big scarf, but otherwise it worked out well. I had a pair of skinnies but I wore the plaid skirt most of the week.

I'm going to Rome next February too, for a week. Also carryon. I'm looking forward to see what you decide to take!

I felt most comfortable in a wool coat when I was there which I could leave open and which was breathable. Definitely take a midweight scarf. And be prepared for snow and for sunshine and spring temperatures. Definitely layers.

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UmmLila (Lisa)

we did that same program in May last year ... Flew to Venice, did train to Florence, train to Rome and then flew back from Rome. Even though each family member had a checked bag for air, we managed perfectly well on the trains. Let me strongly recommend the best splurge we had on the trip: book a water taxi to pick you up at the airport in Venice

My travel look was white, gray, burgundy and black (my YLF profile pic was taken on the Palatine Hill in Rome.) I brought two pairs of shoes and only wore one because the second pair killed my feet.

UmmLila- We are definitely going to splurge for the private water taxi in Venice. Thanks for the tip!

Astrid- Thank you for the photos. People seem to be wearing heavier coats than what I was originally thinking of packing so I may bring one of my wool coats instead.

Carter- great minds think alike. I had read that post on Vivienne files yesterday. Her palettes are both inspiring and overwhelming me at the same time. I like so many of them, it's hard to choose. And you are correct about the shopping!

I think it was around 12°C in the highs in Venice, but with brilliant sunshine which made it feel warmer than it was. I was fine in my wool peacoat in the shade and when I was directly in the sun I just wore it unbuttoned. When I was in Milan we had snow at the beginning of the week and the last day was warm enough to leave the outerwear off completely in the sun.

Carole

We did the same trip 7 years ago...our absolute most favorite trip of all time. We went in May so the weather was mild..one thing I will suggest is more than one pair of comfortable walking shoes. We walked miles and miles everyday. Perhaps comfy boots and a fashionable sneaker at least. Scarves and waterprooftrench with wool liner!

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